North Korea Sends Troops to Fight Alongside Russia: Seoul’s Warning of a “Grave Security Threat

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South Korea’s spy agency has made a shocking allegation that North Korea has begun sending troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine, raising alarm about a growing security threat. The claim was made just a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hinted that 10,000 North Korean soldiers could potentially join the conflict, based on intelligence reports.

According to the South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS), around 1,500 North Korean troops have already arrived in Russia, with estimates suggesting that the number could rise to as many as 12,000. The agency’s findings were discussed during a high-level security meeting called by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who urged the international community to respond with “all available means” to this developing situation.

North Korean Military Support for Russia

The involvement of North Korean soldiers is part of a broader trend of military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang. This deepening relationship includes not only the deployment of troops but also the supply of military hardware. Evidence has emerged showing that North Korea has been sending ammunition, including a missile recovered in Ukraine’s Poltava region. Ukrainian intelligence also claims that nearly 11,000 North Korean troops are being trained in eastern Russia for combat readiness by November 1st, with the first wave of 2,600 soldiers expected to be deployed to the western Kursk region.

Strengthening Russia-North Korea Ties

Tensions between Russia and the West have fueled this growing partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang. Recent interactions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un—such as Kim’s congratulatory message on Putin’s birthday—underscore their deepening ties. A military pact between the two nations is also in the works, committing mutual support in the event of aggression against either country.

The NIS released satellite images of Russian military bases in Vladivostok, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, and Vlagoveshensk, where North Korean troops are reportedly stationed. A photo of North Korea’s Chongjin port further corroborated reports of a Russian ship transporting North Korean soldiers.

Concerns Over North Korean Combat Experience

While the deployment of North Korean troops marks a significant escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war, military experts are divided on how effective these forces will be. Many note that North Korean troops lack recent combat experience, and logistical challenges such as language barriers could complicate their integration into Russia’s frontline forces. However, experts suggest that these troops may be used for secondary roles, such as guarding the Russian-Ukrainian border, thereby freeing up Russian forces for more direct combat operations.

Global Implications

South Korea’s government and its allies are taking these developments seriously, viewing them as a major escalation in both the Russia-Ukraine conflict and regional security dynamics in East Asia. Seoul’s security agencies have called for a coordinated international response to address the growing military collaboration between Russia and North Korea.

As the world watches these developments unfold, the potential consequences for global stability continue to grow, with the addition of North Korean troops further complicating an already volatile situation.

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